Why the Los Angeles Lakers not signing Blake Griffin is a blessing

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 02: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons warms up before a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 2, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Blake Griffin is not a good rebounder

Another thing the Los Angeles Lakers would need from an additional big man is rebounding, and Griffin wouldn’t have been able to help much with that either.

Once upon a time, the Oklahoma City native was a pretty good rebounder. In six of his first seven seasons in the league, he averaged at least eight boards a game, including well over 10 a game in both of his first two campaigns.

But that part of his game has waned quite a bit in recent years.

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So far this season, he’s grabbing only 6.0 rebounds a game per 36 minutes. Last year he wasn’t any better, as he averaged 5.9 rebounds a game per 36 minutes.

A quality rebounder should put up much better numbers than that per 36 minutes.

By comparison, McGee averaged 12.4 boards a game per 36 minutes last season, and 12.2 so far this season. Howard put up 14.0 a game in that category last year and an impressive 16.6 per game so far this year.

With those two gone, and Davis rehabbing, the Lakers have been a bit weak on the boards lately. As former Lakers coach Pat Riley would tell his Showtime teams, “No rebounds, no rings.”

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